catch bass well" not "fish" year round - thats the difference. I used to be able to fish in Dec./Jan in light gear somedays on heated powerplant lakes with water temps in the 60s. Also on the size limit it is 14" in Texas vs. what 10" here? (unless you were refering to a slot limit lake). Also on the lakes around Austin you don't have a chance to catch only one varity but 3... Largies, smallies (stillhouse hollow resevior etc.) and guadalupies (like a spotted bass - one fightin fish!).
I am working on it though and in the end I will only become a better fisherman for it -
and it will be cool to apply what I learn up here to when I move back to Texas Truck,
I agree with your last sentence-Take what you learn here and smoke those boys in a tourney down south. Most lakes in Texas about 99% don't have guadalupes and smallies, thats why I didn't count them in. And Guadalupes don't get near as big as a spot. I know I have a Spotted Bass mounted in my office that is almost 8 lbs. Austin is quite different than the rest of Texas, heck just go downtown
. Thats the good thing about that area, you can fish for all 3 species
And as far as catching bass well here in December that takes practice and will come with time. Sure we don't have shirt sleave weather like Texas does or power plant lakes, but will take the beauty and less crowded conditions of these lakes anyday over Texas lakes.
We have a 12 inch limit in most lakes and 14" in others and some slot limits unless that has changed this year.
Truck you will become a better fisherman here if you give it time and patience and learn to fish in this great weather. At least your not fishing in lighting and high winds.
Russ